4 cities to explore by bike

Who needs taxis, trains and buses when you can explore new cities by pedal-power? As well as seeing all the sights, you can even burn off some calories whilst you do it! Check out our five favourite places to explore by bike

1. LA

People in LA are said to drive everywhere, but you can escape the road by heading to Santa Monica Beach. Rent a bike near the pier and cruise up to Malibu or down to the famous Muscle Beach. There’s a lovely wide path along the boardwalk to suit even the most uncoordinated riders. Traffic free, by the sea and with plenty of sunshine? It sounds like cycling perfection!

2. Amsterdam

Think city cycling and you naturally think of Amsterdam. Explore the city like a local, head to Mac Bike where you can hire bicycles for as little as €10 a day, check out the website in advance for maps and cycle routes. For a relaxing trip head over to the Jordaan district which is full of quaint streets and canal houses or escape the city by heading to Vondel Park. Just don’t forget to switch on your lights at night and use your bell!

3. Berlin

Not an obvious choice for cyclists, but bikes are incredibly popular in Germany’s capital city. The city is fairly flat and the streets tend to be wide. With plenty of bike lanes and parks, there are even routes for less adventurous cyclists. Bike hire is available throughout the city, and you can even go on guided bike tours of the city’s attractions – for more information check out http://berlinonbike.de/en/. Serious cyclists can take the Berlin to Copenhagen trail which goes from Berlin though to Denmark’s capital, its 390 miles long, so not for the inexperienced or the feint hearted!

4. Copenhagen

Known as Bike City, over a third of people in Copenhagen are said to cycle to work every day, including some of the city’s top politicians – so the city is geared up for cyclists. Danes take their cycling seriously and bike lanes have their own traffic lights (and fines for running red lights!). Such is the love for the bicycle, you can borrow a City Bike for free – simply pop a 20kr coin into the special bike stands around the city and you’ll get the deposit back when you lock the bike back up. Take a look here for some fantastic routes round the city and further afield.